James Dunn (actor) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids James Dunn
20th Century Fox studio portrait of Dunn, c. mid-1940s
Born	James Howard Dunn (1901-11-02)November 2, 1901 Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Died	September 1, 1967(1967-09-01) (aged 65) Santa Monica, California
Occupation	Actor, vaudeville performer
Years active	1927–1966
Spouse(s)	[unknown] (div. 1922) Frances Gifford (m. 1938; div. 1943) Edna Rush (m. 1945⁠–⁠1967) (his death)

James Howard Dunn (November 2, 1901 – September 1, 1967) was a famous American actor. He performed on stage, in movies, and on television. Early in his career, he was sometimes called Jimmy Dunn.

James Dunn started working in his father's business, but he loved theater more. He began acting in short films and plays. His big break came in 1929 when he starred in the Broadway musical Sweet Adeline. This led to a contract with Fox Film in Hollywood in 1931.

His first movie, Bad Girl (1931), made him a star right away! He then played the main character in many romantic movies. In 1934, he acted alongside Shirley Temple in her first three films, which made them a popular duo.

Later, James Dunn won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1945 for his role as Johnny Nolan in the movie A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Even though he won an Oscar, he mostly worked as a character actor on television after that. He had a regular role in the TV show It's a Great Life from 1954 to 1956. In 1960, he received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in movies and TV.

Early Life and First Steps in Acting
Becoming a Hollywood Star
- Working with Shirley Temple
Career Changes and an Oscar Win
- Winning an Academy Award
Back to the Stage and TV Success
- Television Career
His Public Image and Awards
Personal Life
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and First Steps in Acting

James Howard Dunn was born on November 2, 1901, in Manhattan, New York. His father, Ralph H. Dunn, was a stockbroker, and his mother was Jessie L. Archer. James was their only child. His family had Irish roots.

When he was four years old, a bulldog almost attacked him, but he was not hurt. James grew up in New Rochelle, New York. He often skipped high school to visit film studios in the Bronx.

After finishing school, James tried different jobs, like selling lunch wagons and cars. He even worked for his father's stock brokerage company for three years. But his true passion was acting.

In 1927, he left his father's job to join a small theater group. He later said he wasn't sure if he would be successful, but he knew he wouldn't be happy unless he tried acting. He also looked for small roles in short films at Paramount Pictures' studios. He performed with different theater groups, even in Canada, where people liked his "pleasing, breezy personality." When he returned to New York, he got the main male role in the 1929 Broadway musical Sweet Adeline.

Becoming a Hollywood Star

Dunn and Sally Eilers in Bad Girl

James Dunn's performance on Broadway caught the eye of movie studio bosses. In 1931, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) tested him for a movie role. A Fox Film employee also tested him for a scene from a play called Bad Girl. MGM wasn't impressed, but Fox director Frank Borzage loved Dunn's test! He wanted James for his upcoming movie version of Bad Girl.

James signed a contract with Fox and moved to Hollywood. His mother joined him the next year. His first movie, Bad Girl (1931), made him and his co-star Sally Eilers famous overnight! Critics praised his acting, calling it "triumphant."

Fox quickly put Dunn and Eilers together again in other movies like Over the Hill (1931) and Dance Team (1932). By the end of 1932, James Dunn was one of the top 10 most popular actors. By 1933, people were calling him "America's boy friend."

Working with Shirley Temple

Dunn and Shirley Temple in a publicity photo for Bright Eyes (1934)

In 1934, James Dunn appeared in seven movies. Three of these were also the first movies for a six-year-old girl named Shirley Temple. In Stand Up and Cheer!, Dunn and Temple played a father and daughter who sang and danced together. Shirley even taught James the dance steps!

Their amazing performance led the studio to cast them in two more films. In Baby Take a Bow, Temple again played Dunn's daughter. Their third movie together was Bright Eyes, where Dunn played a pilot who wanted to adopt Shirley's character. Shirley sang "On the Good Ship Lollipop" in his airplane in this movie!

James and Shirley got along very well. Shirley later said that working with him was "the start of my great romance with Jimmy Dunn." She liked that he treated her like an equal. James admitted he was worried about working with a child actor at first, but he admired Shirley's professionalism. Shirley Temple's career soon became even bigger than his.

Career Changes and an Oscar Win

James Dunn made 30 films during his five years with Fox. In 1935, when he was very popular, he decided to leave his contract early. He felt he wasn't getting the best roles, except for those with Shirley Temple.

In the late 1930s, musicals became less popular, and James's career slowed down. He appeared in many "B movies," which were smaller, less expensive films.

In 1940, he returned to Broadway for a long run in the musical Panama Hattie with Ethel Merman, and he received good reviews.

Winning an Academy Award

Publicity photo of Dunn as Johnny Nolan in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)

James Dunn had not worked for a major movie studio for five years. Then, in 1944, he was asked to try out for the role of Johnny Nolan in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945). He was hesitant to try out, but a friend encouraged him. Director Elia Kazan chose Dunn for the role because he saw a certain depth and realness in the actor that fit the character perfectly. Dunn used his own life experiences to play the part.

Critics loved Dunn's performance, calling it his "finest." They said his portrayal of Johnny Nolan was "greatness."

At the 18th Academy Awards ceremony, James Dunn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his amazing performance!

However, winning the Oscar didn't lead to many new movie roles for him. He still found parts in Broadway plays, but he mostly became a character actor on television.

Back to the Stage and TV Success

In 1947, after his Oscar win, James Dunn was cast in a play called A Moon for the Misbegotten. He was the most famous actor in the show. He later appeared in the long-running Broadway play Harvey in 1948. In 1951, he played Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman at a summer theater.

Television Career

In 1949, James Dunn started a new path as a character actor on television. He appeared as a guest star in many popular TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s. These included Bonanza, Rawhide, Route 66, and The Virginian.

He had a regular role in the popular sitcom It's a Great Life, which aired from 1954 to 1956. Dunn played Earl Morgan, a funny character who was always coming up with get-rich-quick schemes. He was good at slapstick comedy, which he had only done on stage before.

In 1962, Dunn played a clown in an episode of Follow the Sun. He even sang "On the Good Ship Lollipop" from his movie Bright Eyes!

His Public Image and Awards

Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honoring Dunn's contributions to television

James Dunn was known for his "sunny" and "winning" smile. In the 1930s, people noticed his "clean-cut good looks and boyish charm." As he got older, The New York Times described his look as "slightly battered wistfulness."

James Dunn was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One star is for his movies, and the other is for his television work. Both were placed on February 8, 1960.

Personal Life

Dunn at the Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank

Even after becoming a star, James Dunn was described as a kind and friendly person. He once helped an extra on a movie set who was sick, making sure the extra didn't lose his pay. Friends remembered him as "down to earth and friendly."

James Dunn had a great sense of humor. In 1936, he offered a prize to the woman who could send him the best marriage proposal! He received 10,000 entries.

When he wasn't working, Dunn loved playing golf and flying his own airplane. He got his pilot's license soon after moving to California. By 1940, he had flown 750 hours!

Marriages and Family

Dunn and Gifford in the cockpit of his airplane, 1937

James Dunn was married three times. In 1937, he married actress Frances Gifford. They even starred in a couple of movies together. In 1945, Dunn married his third wife, singer Edna Rush. James adopted Edna's young son, Billy.

Financial Situation

In the 1930s, James Dunn earned a lot of money. His mother managed his finances and invested most of his earnings. This helped him stay financially secure even when his acting career slowed down. Later, he faced some financial challenges, but his mother had set up a trust fund for him that provided him with monthly payments for the rest of his life.

Death

James Dunn passed away on September 1, 1967, at the age of 65. He died from problems after stomach surgery at Santa Monica Hospital. His funeral was attended by many people, including other actors. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered at sea.